The answer is synchronous replication with write-back caching. This method is the most appropriate for achieving a 15-minute recovery point objective because it writes data to both the primary and replica storage simultaneously, with write-back caching buffering the I/O to reduce latency and maintain application performance, ensuring near-zero data loss even during a failure. On the CISA exam, this question tests your understanding of how replication methods map to specific RPO thresholds; a common trap is choosing asynchronous replication, which introduces lag and risks exceeding the RPO, or assuming daily backups or hourly snapshots are sufficient when they clearly fall short of a 15-minute window. Remember the mnemonic “Sync for Seconds, Async for Minutes” — but here, the 15-minute RPO demands synchronous replication with caching to balance speed and data integrity.
CISA Practice Question: Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience
This CISA practice question tests your understanding of information systems operations and business resilience. Compare every option against the stated constraints before choosing — the best answer satisfies all requirements, not just the most obvious one. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A multinational corporation is designing its disaster recovery strategy to meet a recovery point objective (RPO) of 15 minutes for its critical database. Which replication method is MOST appropriate?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Synchronous replication with write-back caching
Synchronous replication with write-back caching provides near-zero data loss while managing performance impact. Asynchronous replication may have higher latency, daily backups exceed RPO, and hourly snapshots are insufficient.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Asynchronous replication over WAN
Why it's wrong here
Asynchronous replication may not guarantee data loss under 15 minutes due to buffering.
✗
Daily incremental backups to tape
Why it's wrong here
Daily backups cannot meet a 15-minute RPO.
✓
Synchronous replication with write-back caching
Why this is correct
Correct: Synchronous replication ensures transactions are committed at both sites, meeting RPO.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Periodic snapshot every hour
Why it's wrong here
Snapshots every hour exceed the 15-minute RPO.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related CISA NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience — This question tests Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Synchronous replication with write-back caching — Synchronous replication with write-back caching provides near-zero data loss while managing performance impact. Asynchronous replication may have higher latency, daily backups exceed RPO, and hourly snapshots are insufficient.
What should I do if I get this CISA question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related CISA NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A multinational corporation is implementing a disaster recovery plan for its critical financial systems. The plan includes off-site backups and redundant hardware. During a recent test, the recovery time objective (RTO) was met, but the recovery point objective (RPO) was exceeded by 30 minutes due to delayed data replication. Which of the following is the BEST action to address this issue?
medium
A.Extend the RPO to accommodate the delay.
✓ B.Implement synchronous replication to the secondary site.
C.Reduce the bandwidth for replication to avoid congestion.
D.Increase the frequency of full backups to every 4 hours.
Why B: Option B is correct because synchronous replication ensures data is written to both sites simultaneously, minimizing RPO. Option A is wrong because increasing full backups to every 4 hours still leaves up to 4 hours of potential data loss. Option C is wrong because reducing bandwidth for replication would likely increase the delay further. Option D is wrong because extending the RTO does not address the RPO issue.
Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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